Joe Biden Channels Elizabeth Warren at SC Fundraiser

Vice President Joe Biden teed off on corporations and stockholders in closed-door remarks to South Carolina Democrats on Friday, delivering a populist stem-winder on middle-class struggles that even took aim at President Bill Clinton's economic record, CNN reported.

One person attending the state party fundraiser called Biden's address "an Elizabeth Warren-type speech," referring to the freshman Democratic Senator from Massachusetts who has railed against Wall Street and income inequality.

Other guests at the exclusive Capital City Club in Columbia, S.C., told CNN that Biden said "the system was rigged against the middle class" and "corporations are more concerned about their stockholders than they are about their employees."

"But several Democrats at the event were struck by one remark he made about Bill Clinton's presidency," wrote CNN's Peter Hamby. "Three sources there told CNN that Biden said the fraying of middle-class economic security did not begin during President George W. Bush's terms, but earlier, in the ‘later years of the Clinton administration.' "

Though closed to reporters, the fundraiser "fueled the relentless speculation about Biden's future aspirations," according to The State, Columbia's daily newspaper. Biden hasn't said whether he'll mount another White House run, which could again have him campaigning against Hillary Clinton if she runs for the Democrats.

But South Carolina is a key presidential primary state, and the president has made "frequent visits . . . and headlined the state party's annual dinner last may," according to The State.

Biden also talked up Vincent Sheheen, a state senator and the party's choice to square off against Republican Gov. Nikki Haley. Earlier on Friday, Biden delivered the commencement address at the University of South Carolina, telling graduates, "Do not listen to the cynics."